How To: Free Clutch Spring Removal in 15 Minutes - A must do for manual trans!

[sneaky_pete]

so glad I found this thread!! I drove manual transmissions for years and when I bought my 86 back in November last year I thought I had just completely lost the knack of driving them. I have seriously thought I made a mistake in not buying the auto lol. I don't feel like such a gumby now.

[Lim]

I read quite few comments (not all) and there is small misunderstanding, I think. People saying since spring pushing down removing spring will not increase weight with what pedal pushing to the rod in unloaded (no feet) position. This is incorrect.

Spring not just pushing pedal in one direction. It is pushing down for 90% of pedal rotation and pushing it up last 10% in relation to a driver (not measured, just estimation).
Spring always pushing pedal to the direction of its pivot point (along Y axle), it just at the end pedal keep going up over 90 degree of rotation circle and spring starts pushing it up. Remember this UNIT circle. Imagine spring is pushing down along axle Y on pedal that goes in circle from (1,0 to -1,0). When pedal goes over 0,1 spring will push it DOWN to X axel but it will be now UP in relation to driver. Right top (1,0 - 0,1) it pushes down and left top (0.1 - -1.0) it pushes up in relation to a driver.
I hope it make sense.




This is why you have free play after spring removal and pedal movement become shorter. You are loosing that last 10% of move UP assisted by a spring.

Also when you rotate your rode to bring pedal down you are reducing this 10% zone after 0,1. It will reduce this confusing zone when spring change direction and improve pedal feel, Just careful don't go over it, in this case spring will always be pushing to rod and TOB.

You can test it if you disconnect cylinder rod from clutch pedal.
And now if you push pedal spring will resist a bit (you are compressing it) and then when you go over 0,1 pedal will snap down (watch your fingers it will be strong).

So by removing spring you will be resting pedal weight on the cylinder rod, with spring it actually pulling it out a bit and guaranties it never apply any pressure to the rod without feet on it.

Is it enough to affect TOB or clutch? I don't know. I think it might.
Especially if you give your car to anyone who might rest its feet at clutch pedal with spring you have some protection, without spring you will have issues for sure.

Personally I got used to FRS/BRZ clutch. But I agree heavy spring does take away some feel and high engagement point does not help.

To be safe I would use MTEC spring vs. no spring at all. I am looking for this option. I have not changed it at my FRS yet.

[gpvecchi]

I confirm this, as I noticed when bleeding the braided hoose for clutch. Springs offer more resistance on the first part, then the pedal snaps down. In normal use, it will lighten the pedal when full depressed, and it will make havier in the first part when clutch engages, just to help feeling the engaging point. And it will remove play when depressed. That's perfectly functional.
The only issue is very high engaging point, but as nothing is left to chance in this car, I think that is the point in which the springs works best to help the feeling.

[MillerFRS]

I drive in the city of Toronto and have to row my stick like I'm paddling upstream...It it heavy enough without the spring to be an issue for city thrashers like me?

[Bluefire98]

Originally Posted by MillerFRS

I drive in the city of Toronto and have to row my stick like I'm paddling upstream...It it heavy enough without the spring to be an issue for city thrashers like me?

I just did mine this afternoon before I went to work. I haven't gotten used to it yet obviously but it's significantly heavier to where I could it being a problem in heavy stop and go traffic. But it does make shifting a lot smoother so you might like it more anyways. I would try it for a day to see what you think. If you don't like it put the spring back in or order the mtec one

[Erci]

Just stumbled upon this thread.. interesting. I didn't read all of the replies, but I'm wondering how many of you did this before adjusting the clutch pedal. I hated how high it grabbed, from factory (on both of my BRZs.. 15 and 18), but after adjusting it down (which takes about 10 minutes) to be about level with brake pedal, it grabs at exactly where I want and I find it to be absolutely effortless.. in fact one of the easiest manual cars I've ever driven and I love how easy it is to operate the clutch in stop-and-go traffic. If you've not adjusted your clutch pedal, I would highly recommend doing that before removing the spring.

[Arthur-A]

Just removed the clutch spring on my brand new 2020 86, still on a break-in period, only ~130 miles Glad I did it! Feels SO MUCH BETTER now

Removing the e-clip from the bottom spring retainer was a b**ch

[CincyJohn]

Going to do this mod this weekend. Just posting to bump the thread to TTT.

[gpvecchi]

Is it difficult to put it back, just in case?

[Thefalls]

Originally Posted by gpvecchi

Is it difficult to put it back, just in case?

Its a very easy mod to do and in case you don't like it, then going back is not hard at all. It takes only a few mins.

But I went with the Mtech clutch spring and the difference is quite obvious where the clutch is slight lighter due to the Mtech spring being softer. This helps with the biting point being more noticeable under your left foot.

The next thing I would change is the clutch biting point, too tall. It needs to be a tad lower for me.

Why they put such a higher biting point ? I don't know. Weird.

[Krazyyykevin]

I did this but used a spring from mcmaster car which is bascially the mtec one but cheaper and its 10/10

[gpvecchi]

Originally Posted by Krazyyykevin

I did this but used a spring from mcmaster car which is bascially the mtec one but cheaper and its 10/10

Can you post the link to the spring you used? Thanks

[sugoi]

Originally Posted by gpvecchi

Can you post the link to the spring you used? Thanks

A few guys on Reddit have been using this:

Compression Spring, 1.75" Long, 0.97" OD, 0.76" ID
https://www.mcmaster.com/9657K379

[ninjan00dles]

I ran the baja slave cylinder with the mtec spring for about 5000 miles. I recently took off the spring completely to troubleshoot a rattle and I think the baja slave cylinder with no spring is definitely my favorite configuration. It feels like a normal clutch now.